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Central Switzerland |
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Central Switzerland is both geographically and historically the heartland. In 1291, three rural districts (cantons) around Lake Lucerne formed the first Swiss Confederation. The canton of Uri is where the story of William Tell takes place. William Tell is arrested and ordered to shoot an apple off his son's head. Although Tell succeeds, the governor kidnaps him, putting him on a boat on Lake Lucerne, but Tell escapes in a storm, and lives to take part in a rebellion against the foreign power. |
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Lucerne |
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Emmentaler Show Dairy (Affoltern) – Next time your kids have Swiss cheese in their sandwich at school, they'll remember a trip to the show dairy in Emmental. Learn how cheese was traditionally made over an open fire and aged in cellars. Cheese shop, restaurant, and kids playground. Open daily, admission is free. | ||
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Titlis Glacier Park & Cave (Engelberg) – From Engelberg, ride three cable cars up the mountain (the rotating cable car is very cool) – even in summer, the Titlis glacier is snowy. At the Glacier Park, go sledding on inner tubes (a runway takes you back up). Walk inside the Glacier Cave (Gletschergrotte), a tunnel about 500 feet long, carved into the glacier. The bluish light of the ancient ice is fascinating for kids. Tip: It's cold inside the cave, so bring your sweaters, wear closed toed shoes, gloves are handy. |
